Stephen Strasburg quitting tobacco, citing Tony Gwynn’s death

Gwynn was Strasburg’s coach at San Diego State prior to the pitcher being taken No. 1 overall by the Washington Nationals in 2009.

“I think it’s a disgusting habit, looking back on it,” the Nationals right-hander said on Monday. “I was pretty naive when I started. Just doing it here and there, I didn’t think it was going to be such an addiction. … Bottom line is, I want to be around for my family. This is something that can affect people the rest of your life. [Chewing tobacco is] so prevalent in this game. It’s something we all kind of grew up doing.”

Speaking on Monday Strasburg was unaware that Gwynn used chewing tobacco, which the former San Diego Padres outfielder latter attributed to his salivary glands cancer.